Originally Posted by BigE

But here are the obvious difficulties: You're talking about ultra-high season in Thailand, so to stay in that price range I suppose you'd need someplace remote (difficult to get to) and as yet unappreciated. At a Thai oriented hotel, not speaking Thai might be an obstacle (though I think you'd be OK if you're patient). As for crystal-clear, calm waters, the best I can remember is around the Phi Phi islands (but not many hotels there and they will be super-expensive, out of your price range).